English Touring Opera (ETO) has created a new series of digital singing lessons made specifically for choir members to help them get their voices back on track ahead of the return to in-person singing. The series, Sing with ETO, is available for free on the company’s ETO at Home platform.

Devised and produced following consultation with choir members and leaders and led by ETO singers Jenny Stafford, Fizz Buckland, Thomas Elwin and Edward Hawkins, the videos offer valuable tips, skills and techniques for four voice types: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

The company was inspired to create the series after hearing from many choir members that they feel anxious about singing in public again, or that they simply hadn’t had the chance to keep in practice during lockdown.

There are four lessons for each of the four voice types. These cover: breathing, being your own leader, being your voice type and getting ready for rehearsal. The aim of the series is “to help you improve your singing and to give you a toolkit you can come back to again and again,” Jenny Stafford commented.

An introductory video by the four teachers includes techniques to help singers feel as comfortable and prepared as possible as they return to rehearsals. Jenny Stafford offers some relaxation skills, while Thomas Elwin gives advice on how to get the best out of your vocal health. Fizz Buckland explains some simple breathing techniques to help singers ‘get in the zone’. Edward Hawkins encourages singers to think about how to approach that first in-person rehearsal.

All four tutors have worked extensively with ETO. Soprano Jenny Stafford trained at the Royal Academy of Music and has performed at Longborough Festival Opera, Grange Festival and Grimeborn Festival. Fizz Buckland is a mezzo-soprano and singing teacher; she has performed with English National Opera (ENO), Opera North and OperaUpClose, among others, and has a keen interest in music education and community outreach

Thomas Elwin is a tenor, singing teacher and vocal health first aider, which means he advises people on how to get the best out of their vocal hygiene. He has performed with ENO and at the BBC Proms. Bass Edward Hawkins read music at King’s College, London, and was a member of the Glyndebourne Chorus.

The 16 videos that make up Sing with ETO are available to watch for free now on ETO at Home.

 

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Sing with ETO is a series of 16 free singing lessons created by English Touring Opera and designed to help singers get back on track as they return to live performance.